Human Trafficking

Trafficking has become an insidious rampant evil in the world today having now become the most lucrative organised crime activity on the planet. According to Unicef trafficking is a global problem affecting huge numbers of women, men and children. Some estimates have as many as 1.39 million victims being trafficked every year for the purposes of cheap labour, sexual exploitation and organ harvesting. Children and their families are often unaware of the dangers of trafficking, and are tricked into believing that better employment and lives lie in other countries.

Trafficking is lucrative and linked with criminal activity and corruption. It is often hidden and hard to address. Trafficking always violates the child’s right to grow up in a family environment. In addition, victims who have been trafficked face a range of dangers, including violence, sexual abuse and even death. Trafficked peoples are even arrested and detained as illegal aliens. Trafficking has to be the most heinous of crimes that anyone could inflict on anyone, especially young innocent children and it is blight on modern society. How can this be going on right under our noses and even in our own “advanced” society even in our own neighbourhoods?

These girls, were just like you and I – Dreams, desires, families, hopes, beautiful dignified bright ambitious, – yet through the corruption of their own countries or families – it led to such a wicked fate.

“After a trafficking journey that typically involves deception, rape, beatings and constant threats, victims are often forced to live in confining and unsanitary conditions. Once formally put to work, human trafficking victims can be forced to service from 40 to 110 customers in one day. Malnutrition, sleep deprivation, as well as emotional and physical abuse become day to day normalities. In addition, forced abortions and the contraction of STI’s, Hepatitis B & C, and Aids are ever looming probabilities. Life for a victim of sex trafficking is hell on earth.” The A21 Campaign, Abolishing Injustice in the 21st Century.

Who hears the cries of the children, men and women caught in the web of trafficking? We can only imagine what the cry of their hearts is. Freedom, safety, a home, a childhood, a life. I can assure you that their cries do not go unheard by God above.

Think of the power of one human being who has changed the shape of countries, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr, William Wilberforce to name a few. These are people who said, “Enough is enough”.

As the saying goes, “All it takes for tyranny to reign is for good people to do nothing”. This is so true. Let’s break this down to a personal level. What will you do? What will I do? What can WE do?

Herein lies the challenge to all of us whose hearts are moved by this critical issue.

“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they grow up in peace” -Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations.